Coordination Chemistry Solutions: #6

6.* (1996 F 11)

A. If you want a transition metal compound to be a good oxidizing agent, should it have a lot of d electrons?

For a compound to be a good oxidizing agent it must gain electrons easily. If a compound has a high number of d electrons this is less likely to be the case. The strongest metal oxidizing agents will have few d electrons and a high formal charge.